Headlines
Kano commission of inquiry for political violence calls for submission of petitions
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
As the Commission of Inquiry for Political Violence and Missing Persons set up by the Kano State Government began its sitting on Monday, the commission has called for the submission of necessary petitions from individuals and groups to be investigated.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission has equally assured the people of the state that it will ensure that sponsors and perpetrators of political and other forms of violence during and in between the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections are brought to justice.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, disclosed this during the inauguration held in Kano on Monday.
She added that the commission will identify all missing persons in the state and determine the circumstances as well as the immediate and remote causes of their disappearance, suggesting a possible way out of the problem.
Justice Yusuf stated that the commission will also find out the causes of political and other forms of violence in Kano State.
The commission would also identify areas where violence associated with the 2015, 2020, and 2023 general elections occurred in Kano State, identify victims of all forms of violence, including politically motivated, state-sponsored, etc., associated with the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections, and assess the damage or loss of lives and properties during the period.
She therefore disclosed that “we will suggest ways of supporting the victims of all forms of violence in the state, recommend effective ways of preventing politically motivated and state-sponsored violence and any other forms of violence in the state, and advise on any other matter incidental to the assignment.”
“At this juncture, I would like to invite individuals, groups, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as victims and relatives of victims of political violence and missing persons, to submit memoranda or petitions to the Commission’s registry situated at Miller Road from today,” said Justice Zuwaira.
Justice Yusuf said, “I will also assure the general public that the Commission is there to serve them, that their petitions will be looked into, and where necessary, they will be called upon to give oral evidence.
“I would also like to further assure the people of Kano State that this Commission will discharge its assigned mandates diligently, honestly, fairly, dispassionately, and without fear or ill will.”
She then called on journalists and the media to ensure any report concerning the Commission is done with the utmost professionalism and must be fair and factual.
List of members of the commission:
Hon. Justice Zuwaira Yusuf: Chairperson
Amb. Ibrahim Waiya: Representative of Civil Society Groups
Muhammad Wakili (Rtd): Retired Commissioner of Police
Shu’aibu Sule, Esq
Amina Umar Garba, Esq
Comrade Kabiru Inuwa: Representative of the Organised Labour Union.
Salisu Muhammad Tahir, Esq., Director Public Prosecution/MoJ
Shehu Abdullahi: State Coordinator, National Human Right Commission
AVM. Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd): Director General, Special services
Kabiru Haruna: Representative of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Sa’ida Sa’ad, Esq
Aliyu Sulaiman, State Commandant
Member Representative of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
Umar Sa’idu Abdullahi: Representative of Nigerian Police, Kano Command
Mahmoud Bello Bari is Secretary to the Commission and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
One Year Without Baba: A Son’s Tribute to Alhaji Yusuf Hassan
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Veteran NTA manager Dahiru Biso loses wife at 58
Two suspected bandits killed, N10m ransom recovered in Kano
Gov Yusuf Joins APC Leaders at Kaduna Presidential Campaign Flag-Off as Kano Delegation Draws Attention
